<p>My son will have his first apartment next year. Besides the obvious like a bed and couch what would be some of the essentials he will need? We are going through my kitchen and assembling pots and pans for the kitchen. I never realized how many unused pots I had. This will be a good way to clean out the house.</p>
<p>Cleaning stuff. It may even get used occasionally.</p>
<p>Flashlight, extra batteries, and a small tool kit. Nothing major, just a hammer, pliers (slipjoint and needlenose), slotted and phillips screwdrivers or a good 4 in 1 type, plus a smaller slotted and #0 phillips for electronics applications. Utility knife with retractable blade, 6" & 8" combination wrenches. 16’ tape measure or 12’ folding carpenters ruler. </p>
<p>Very basic. Don’t buy the cheap stuff. Sears Craftsman, Home Depot Husky, comparable quality are fine and have lifetime replacement guarantees. Bargain bin, asian/chinese imports are garbage, poorly machined, easily break and are often safety hazards.</p>
<p>If he wants or needs more, then he’s probably already amassed a beginner’s kit or beyond.</p>
<p>I’d advise the same for anyone’s s or d. These basics are constantly handy, and should also be included for freshmens’ “what to take to college” lists.</p>
<p>microwave- to cook the frozen food, reheat leftovers.</p>
<p>A vacuum cleaner. A small broom if he has a balcony or patio. As ‘swimcatsmom’ says, it might even get used occasionally.</p>
<p>A first aid kit with neosporin, bactine, bandaids, tweezers, etc.</p>
<p>If not already equipped, a microwave for heating up leftovers.</p>
<p>Laundry basket, laundry soap, funds for the washer/dryer unless it’s in the room.</p>
<p>I agree with ‘violadad’ - a basic set of hand tools - quality stuff only (when it comes to hand tools, almost anything made in the USA is good, made in China isn’t).</p>
<p>Bathroom towels.</p>
<p>Kitchen towels.</p>
<p>Mattress pad. Sheets, blanket, etc.</p>
<p>absolute essentials:
a can opener
toilet plunger
toilet paper
a very basic cookbook</p>
<p>Tin foil, zip locks, throw away baking sheets and pans (ie: for lasagna etc.), bathroom cleaners, tupperware type of storage containers, sponges, dish soap, eating and cooking utensils, plates, cups, glasses, garbage bags</p>
<p>My son is also going into his first apt. and I have a wok that I am sending along. It is an extra in my house and I thought it would be great for stir frying.</p>
<p>I am probably going to get him a Costco membership and then hopefully he will stock up on foil, zip locks, etc. with his roommates.</p>
<p>As far as cookbook (thanks Karen Colleges), I think I am going to get one of those cooking with 4-5 ingredients or less.</p>
<p>Plastic file box or file cabinet.</p>
<p>Ibuprofen, decongestants, vitamin C, multivitamins.</p>
<p>Alarm clock!</p>
<p>All great suggestions. A plunger is funny, but very practical. We haven’t even thought about tools, good idea. Keep them coming!</p>
<p>Don’t laugh about that plunger. It was the one thing DS asked for when we were shopping for his apartment “essentials” last year. Wise kid.</p>
<p>Under the bed boxes. Plastic hangers (it’s not a hotel). Broom and dustpan. Swiffer. Cleaning products. Ice cube trays (DS’s first apartment didn’t have them or an ice cube maker…boy was HE surprised). Tool kit. Extra light bulbs. Power strips (just like the dorm). Place mats. Picture hooks (for hanging pics). Curtain rods and curtains (if the place doesn’t have them). Under the bed storage boxes. Shelf paper for the kitchen cabinets and drawers. </p>
<p>I found the nearest Dollar Tree (no I don’t work for them) and walked my son up and down the aisles there. The cleaning products were all name brand (Spic and Span, Lysol) and you can’t beat the price of things like sponges. DS goes there first…then he goes elsewhere. Costco can be VERY expensive for one person…and the quantities sometimes are just too huge.</p>
<p>One item I like very much is a bucket that’s divided into two sections. It lets me mop and rinse much more easily, especially when doing a small area.</p>
<p>If he’s light on furniture, think about getting some decent-quality outdoor stuff that folds or stacks. They are super cheap in August and September. It can double as indoor furniture until he can afford something better, then move to the balcony.</p>
<p>Dishes and eating utensils. Spatula, pot holders, measuring spoons, measuring cups, utility knife, vegetable peeler (wishful thinking?). Kitchen towels, dish brush. </p>
<p>Toilet brush, all purpose cleaner. Iron and board (more wishful thinking?)</p>
<p>Lamps and bulbs to go in them!! And extension cords.</p>
<p>Most apartments have very few overhead lights, especially in the living areas.</p>
<p>One thing we left DS was an inflatible bed with a pump. It folds up and can be stored under his bed…but if a friend comes to visit, they then have some place to sleep. Don’t forget linens for it. </p>
<p>A fan (unless there is AC).</p>
<p>thumper, I agree that Costco can be very expensive for one person. My son will be in apt. with 3 others, so I think that it might pay to stock on things like foil and zip locks for the year. He also has a Walmart that he could go to.</p>
<p>When my son was in his first apartment, he loved going to Costco. The favorite item to buy—toilet paper!! He and his roommates would take turns buying(that would mean bringing it back from home where mom had paid) toilet paper and paper towels. Any other items were purchased at school. but for some reason they always needed those paper goods.</p>
<p>Make sure that toilet plunger is the heavy duty one- I remember going back to a store for the best after getting the cheap one many years ago. I figure one per bathroom, unlike our shared one at home (that’s one item he can’t steal from home). Does anyone know of good tool chest sets (got one many years ago as a freebie or such with a purchase, don’t want to part with it but think having all those tools in one place is good, even if not the top quality)? I think they are starting to accumulate some stuff via unreturned items from the cafeteria- I don’t condone it but realize son will probably tell me he has enough knives, forks and spoons…</p>
<ol>
<li>George Foreman grill</li>
<li>Good set of micro safe dishes </li>
<li>Fan, even if there is AC. Costs less to run.</li>
<li>Wireless router</li>
</ol>
<p>colander for draining spagetti/pasta, hot pads, good set of sharp knives, cutting board, coffee maker, basic set of plastic glasses, dishes and cutlery, paper towel holder.</p>